The Localism Act aims to boost public involvement in their commmunities by introducing new rights to buy up and control local assets. Last month, academics and practictioners came together to discuss how women's involvement in their communities may change as a result of the act. Here, two panelists from that event share their insights.

Dr Alina Congreve is principal lecturer in sustainable planning at the University of Hertfordshire

Perhaps the first question to ask is: are there any real differences between men and women that affect their ability and enthusiasm to participate in the new measures?

Although there have been major changes in working patterns, there are still significant differences between men's and women's lifestyles. Before the current recession a record number of women were in work but 38% of women with dependent children work part-time, compared to 4% of men with dependent children.

Women are also more likely to work closer to where they live and therefore spend more time in their local community. This could mean women have more opportunities to engage in the localism agenda.

Yet because women spend more time in their local area they are more likely to be affected by poor quality local facilities and a poor local environment. This may mean that women feel more motivated than men to take active steps to secure improvements.

Under the previous Labour government there was a strong focus on improving existing neighbourhoods, especially in low-income areas. Problems such as derelict childrens' play areas and underused local shopping parades were targeted with regeneration funds. Despite some differences in opinion about the detail, few local residents objected to these improvements and given the right conditions some gave active support.

The current government's view of neighbourhood planning is quite different. Taking an entrepreneurial view, the government sees neighbourhood plans as a way for communities to have an active say in where new homes, shops and offices are built.

Is this what most women – or men for that matter – want for their local area? Many communities have a negative view of growth and will try to resist it altogether.

Some communities may accept that neighbourhood plans could be a way to help manage this more effectively. Funding can help support community groups preparing neighbourhood plans. However, uncertainty over funding for Planning Aid and the other organisations supporting communities has created difficulties.

Localism has arrived alongside a range of other changes, including cuts to the public sector, that have resulted in women losing their jobs in greater numbers than men. The government's business-orientated approach places much more emphasis on economic growth than on social and environmental improvement.

Women who often live more local lives may be more concerned with the quality of local services, securing paid work to deliver these services and local environmental quality.

Natalie Ntim is a policy officer for the Women's Resource Centre

As a charity that supports women's organisations to become more sustainable, we recognise that localism presents an opportunity for female-led voluntary and community groups to design and deliver services that are tailored to the needs of their users.

However, unless the long-standing barriers preventing women from genuinely participating in local decision-making are addressed, they will be unable to take advantage of it. Our research with Oxfam highlights the poor representation of women on decision-making forums. As a result, their concerns are rarely heard and all too often choices are made without consideration of their impact on women.

Gender inequality is a systemic societal problem that needs to be tackled strategically. Yet without adequate representation of women's organisations it is unlikely that local authorities will treat gender equality as a priority. At a time when saving money and making cuts is top of the list, supporting women's needs may drop off the local agenda entirely.

Women's organisations have also been disproportionately hit by the recession and spending cuts. A 2011 survey found 95% of organisations faced funding cuts in the next year and 25% said that further cuts would result in closure. Many simply do not have the resources left to engage with the opportunities that localism might bring; all their energy is dedicated to ensuring they stay afloat and continue to support women in need.

The community right to challenge provide be an opportunity for the many women's organisations that already have experience of bidding for contracts to provide local services. However, they may be unable to engage with the competitive tendering process and lose out to larger private sector providers who can offer services at a lower cost, but without the expertise of smaller specialist organisations.

Working in partnership with other groups to make a bid as part of a consortium could be a way for women's groups to participate in localism despite limited time and resources.

Women's organisations and public bodies need to build strong relationships with each other. Women's organisations can offer public bodies cost-effective answer to the most complex, costly and unpopular issues faced by our society, delivering a better future, for women, their families and communities.